Reluctantly Alpha (The Barrington Billionaires, Book 8) Read online

  A general sound of disbelief echoed through the group.

  After shrugging and walking from table to table again, Connor said, “I know. I know. But this was before people recorded everything. No offense, but we had some things easier. Back then, we made mistakes and if we learned from them everyone moved on. Before social media, we weren’t all defined by the stupidest thing we’ve ever done.”

  Connor returned to the table where Keaton was. “I don’t like the word bully because I don’t like labels. They trap people into thinking they can’t do better. When Keith and I became friends I spent time at his house and it was not a happy place. He needed intervention as much as I did. And once he saw what he was doing, he stopped. All it took was one person to tell him that there might be a better way.”

  “What college football team did you learn all this wisdom from?” the coach asked in a snide tone.

  Several of his students snickered.

  A few looked away, seeming embarrassed.

  “That’s about all the time we have for today.” Angelina rushed to Connor’s side, prepared to bring a quick end to this.

  Connor closed the distance between himself and the coach, until he was towering over him. Next to him, the coach looked neither intimidating nor confident. Collectively the teachers and students held their breaths.

  For what felt like an eternity, Connor simply stared the man down. The coach went white, then red, then some angry shade between. Still Connor said nothing, merely arched an eyebrow.

  The coach’s fists clenched.

  Bradford took a step out of the shade.

  Angelina joined them, unsure of what she’d do if fists started flying. No. No. No. This is not how the talk was supposed to go.

  Connor held out his hand and flashed those perfectly white teeth of his. “Feed the right wolf, my friend. Few will have as big of an impact on these young men as you will. You’ll be the one they’re quoting when they’re our age. What do you hope they’ll say?”

  Cornered and aware the exchange was being recorded, the coach had limited options. He shook Connor’s hand. “That I taught them how to win.”

  After dropping his hand, Connor looked around at the boys who were enthralled by the exchange. He smiled. “And hopefully to never be the block letter version of a team.”

  Just like that the soccer team was won over. Their laughter was much lighter.

  Angelina wished her son had been there to watch the transformation, but he wasn’t a member of the team. She could have called for a school-wide assembly, but that wasn’t what had been in the plans.

  Not that this was either.

  “Does anyone have a question for Mr. Sutton?” Angelina asked the students.

  “No questions,” Connor said in a harsh tone. “I’m already late to my next engagement.” Connor’s reaction took her by surprise. So approachable one moment—so closed off the next.

  “Of course.” Angelina was quick to smooth the situation over. “Why don’t we all give Mr. Sutton a big thank you for coming out to see us.”

  The boys clapped and cheered.

  Connor leaned forward and said something to the coach that made him relax a bit. Angelina wished she’d been standing close enough to hear. It couldn’t have been a threat. Every time she thought she knew what to expect from the famous actor, he zigged when she thought he’d zag.

  She dismissed the students back to their classes while Connor spoke to the handful of teachers who had gathered to meet him. His smile was full-blast charm, but the sparkle that had been in his eyes earlier was gone.

  I did that. Me and my big mouth.

  When he started to walk away with his bodyguard, Angelina trotted after them. “Mr. Sutton.”

  He stopped.

  Bradford said something then nodded to Angelina and continued walking away.

  Angelina came to a skidding stop beside Connor. “Thank you for speaking to the soccer team.”

  He raised and lowered a shoulder. When their eyes met she found it hard to breathe. “I hope it makes a difference.”

  “Me too,” she said then gave herself a mental smack for being so honest. He needed to leave with a better impression. “They’re good kids. Historically Reemsly has a one hundred percent college enrollment and predominantly to Ivy League schools.”

  He cocked his head to one side. “I don’t have any children.”

  She smiled brightly. “I’m sure you know people who do.”

  “People,” he mulled the word as if it were a new one to him then he frowned. “Oh, I get it now. This isn’t about me. Asher warned this would happen, but I admit I thought he was being paranoid. Are you disappointed I didn’t bring a Barrington with me? How much of today was real? Do you even have a son?”

  Angelina gasped. “How do you know about my son?”

  His smile was devoid of warmth. “You’re good. I’m glad I came. This was educational. I’m not used to women flirting with me for any reason other than sex.” He leaned closer, so close Angelina’s body began to hum for his. The bastard knew it too. His mouth twisted a bit. “Well, at least I wasn’t wrong about that.”

  As the reality of how poorly she’d handled his visit began to sink in, she reached out and grabbed his forearm. “You can’t leave like this.”

  He looked down at her hand. “If you’re about to offer to have sex with me if I introduce you to a Barrington, I regretfully have to decline, sweetheart. Although I admire your dedication to your school.”

  She gasped and released his arm. “You’re disgusting.”

  He raised two splayed hands. “Hey, easy on the insults, Miss Grabby. I said no.”

  “To something I never asked for. I wouldn’t have sex with you if you were the last man on earth and we were humanity’s final hope.” She groaned as she heard her own words. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”

  He studied her face for a long moment. “What are you afraid of? It’s not me.”

  Oh, my God. I don’t even know how to salvage this. I can’t tell him. “No, it’s not you.”

  His expression darkened. “Is it that bad here?”

  I should deny it. But it was impossible to lie while looking into his eyes. Just about a whisper, she said, “Lately. It hasn’t always been like this.”

  “Quit.”

  “It’s not that simple.”

  “Because your son goes here. The headmaster has you by the balls.”

  “You could say that.”

  In the silence that followed she wondered if he would offer to take care of the situation for her. Like some hero, charging in on a white horse, slaying her dragons.

  Would I even want that?

  “Funny,” he said slowly, “I didn’t take you for someone who’d put up with crap like that. I guess none of us are who we appear to be.”

  Ouch, but perhaps I deserve that one. “I’m sorry about what I said in the office.”

  He bent closer, so close she was sure he would kiss her. Her lips parted in anticipation even as she told herself it would be a mistake. “So quick to apologize even when I’m being a dick. I liked you better when you were calling me disgusting. Where’s your son’s father?”

  The mention of Whitney’s biological father jolted her out of her daze. She snapped, “That’s none of your business.”

  He hovered over her a moment longer, long enough for a shiver of need to lick through her. Did he feel it?

  The fire in his eyes was laced with something else—concern? “Very true, but when I needed help, my little sister kicked ass for me. If you’ve already given up the fight, who’ll do that for your son?”

  With that, he turned and strode away.

  Apparently not him.

  She hugged herself as she watched him make his way to the parking lot and exchange a few words with Bradford. She wanted to rush after Connor and tell him her son didn’t need help because he had her and she was his champion.

  “If you’ve already given up the fight . . .” Sh
e muttered the words he’d thrown at her. I haven’t given up the fight. I’m right here, working my ass off so my son has the opportunities I only found when I left Oklahoma. That’s how I fight, buddy. I make sure there is food on the table, a roof over our heads, and that my son has a better education than I could ever afford to give him.

  You know what I didn’t need today? A big movie star spouting opinions on things he knows nothing about.

  If my son needs saving, I’ll do it myself.

  Chapter Four

  Back at his car, Connor refused to look over to see if Angelina was still watching him. Being a badass was exhausting, and stepping off the emotional roller coaster of the last few hours was a relief. All he’d wanted to do was fulfill a commitment and not embarrass himself or his family by doing so.

  He hadn’t expected to meet a woman he wouldn’t want to leave behind—someone so beautiful he couldn’t get the image of her out of his mind, so complicated he couldn’t figure out if she wanted him to stay or go.

  He didn’t belong there, but he hated that he was leaving without fixing the situation for her son. “That is one messed up school, Bradford.”

  “How about the woman? She doesn’t look very happy with you.”

  “She’ll get over it. She actually seems like a nice person, but she’s scared. I wonder what her kid is like. Is he as uptight as she is? And I’d put money on Keaton being the one who’s messing with him. He’s only doing it to impress the coach.”

  Bradford sighed. “If you want, I’ll look into the situation.”

  Now that’s a good friend. “When you say ‘look into it’ that doesn’t involve anything that could get either of us arrested, does it? I promised Viviana I’d stay out of the news.”

  Bradford removed his glasses long enough to say, “Depends on what we find.” He flashed a cold smile. “But nothing I do is ever reported.”

  “Don’t you have to get back to Bulgaria?”

  “It can wait.” After replacing his glasses, Bradford said, “I remember what it’s like to be little and scared. It’s not a good place.”

  Connor glanced back at Angelina who was walking into a side entrance of the main building. “Look into the headmaster. My guess is he’s patient zero when it comes to whatever ailment this school has.”

  Bradford nodded. “Sounds about right. Just so you know, your talk to the soccer team wasn’t half bad.”

  “Thanks! I hope it helps.” A weight lifted from his shoulders. “I didn’t know what to say when the coach asked me what college team I’d played on. It was like he knew I never attended one.”

  “You shut him right down. I’m curious. What did you say to him at the end?”

  “I asked him if he wanted to grab a beer sometime.”

  “Interesting.”

  “Yeah, it’s like they say: Keep your women smiling and your enemies drunk.”

  “No one says that.”

  “I do.”

  Bradford threw back his head and laughed. “The world would be a better place if everyone saw it the way you do.”

  “Truth.” Connor turned to open the door of his car, then stopped. “Angelina was trying to hard-sell the school to me because of my affiliation with the Barringtons.”

  “So, she was doing her job.”

  “Yeah. And she might not want to fuck me.” Not everyone got his sense of humor, but Bradford did.

  He shook his head but was fighting back a smile.

  Connor slid into his car then opened his window to say, “No, hang on, she doesn’t want to fuck you. Today I wasn’t me. Had I been, she’d be calling in sick for the afternoon . . . possibly tomorrow morning as well.”

  “Goodbye, Connor. I’ll tell you if I discover anything useful.”

  “Thanks for today, Bradford. It meant a lot to me that you came.”

  Bradford didn’t answer, but Connor hadn’t expected him to. Everyone had issues left over from childhood—Bradford more than most.

  Flashing a thumbs-up at Bradford, Connor peeled out of the parking lot and sped down the driveway.

  Angelina reluctantly made her way back to her office. It was tempting to flog herself over every misstep she’d taken that day, but Aunt Rudi had taught her to focus on the wins instead. The drama students would go home and rave about Connor Sutton’s visit. Things like that often brought the school spontaneous financial gifts. So the day wasn’t a complete wash.

  The soccer team had heard a speech about responsibility toward each other. Would it make a difference? She wanted to think so. There had been a sincerity to it that had made it ring true for her as well.

  She’d probably never see Connor again and that was for the best. What had Mr. Svete said about him? “He’s the type many women lose their heads around.” She could see that. Was it his size? His perfectly rugged features? He’d definitely been born with more than his fair share of good looks.

  And he wasn’t a complete asshole.

  No more than I am, anyway.

  As Angelina was about to step into her office, she heard Mr. Svete raise his voice. “No you can’t leave early. And don’t bring me a note from your doctor and think it will change anything. I have been more than patient with you, but I could have someone do twice the work you do for half the price. Tired? We’re all tired.”

  “I didn’t say I was tired,” Mrs. Tellier said in a much lower tone that had Angelina stepping closer to hear better. “I said the office called with test results they thought I should hear immediately. It might be nothing, but when you’re my age and the doctor says it’s important . . . you go.”

  “Last week it was a family issue that couldn’t wait. This week it’s the doctor. If you want to stay employed here, Mrs. Tellier, my suggestion is you schedule your emergencies for after four p.m.”

  “I’ll see if I can get a later appointment,” Mrs. Tellier said, her voice cracking with emotion.

  “Please contain yourself. It’s not a mystery why women don’t make it far in business. Especially not one your age.”

  Unable to stand another moment of it, Angelina stepped into Mrs. Tellier’s office. “Is everything okay?”

  Mrs. Tellier reached for a tissue and nodded without looking up from her desk.

  “Do you need something, Miss Kroll?” Mr. Svete snapped.

  Angelina looked from him to Mrs. Tellier and back. Connor Sutton’s speech echoed through her thoughts. Why does a person remain quiet in the face of what they know is wrong? Is it possible all Mr. Svete needs is to be reminded how to behave? “It’s been a stressful day for everyone. I’m sure when you have time to stand back and look over all Mrs. Tellier does for the school you’ll see that it far outweighs a request or two to leave early.”

  Mr. Svete rose to his full height and a flush reddened his cheeks. “Is that all?”

  “No.” Angelina squared her shoulders. “Kindness and civility are things we can only teach our students by modeling them. It’s not okay to speak to any woman the way you just spoke to Mrs. Tellier. It’s not okay to use your position of power to intimidate those around you. We all want this school to succeed, but we also all deserve to be treated with respect.”

  A sneer twisted Mr. Svete’s mouth. “A bit full of yourself today, aren’t you?”

  “Not at all. I just believe if we are entrusted to shape the minds of the next generation, we need to hold ourselves to a higher standard.”

  “If you’re not happy with the way things are at Reemsly, Miss Kroll, maybe it’s time you resign your position.”

  Mrs. Tellier rose to her feet and rushed to say, “Oh, I’m sure that’s not what she’s saying.”

  He turned and glared at the older woman.

  While his attention wasn’t on her, Angelina shook her head and motioned for Mrs. Tellier to sit back down. She mouthed, Remember your granddaughter. I’ve got this.

  Angelina cleared her throat. “I have no intention of resigning.”

  “Then let me make this easier for you. You’re
fired.”

  “You can’t fire her for having an opinion,” Mrs. Tellier said.

  “Say another word, Mrs. Tellier, and you’ll have all your afternoons free. All your mornings as well,” Mr. Svete said in an ugly tone.

  Mrs. Tellier’s eyes filled with tears that she blinked back, but she sat back down. A much younger Angelina would have right-hook-punched the smug expression right off the headmaster’s face. She wasn’t that person anymore, and she refused to become that person again. “There is a standard of behavior that even you are held to, Mr. Svete. Fire me for no reason, and you’ll have quite a legal fight on your hands.”

  The look he gave her was pure evil. The kind of look that makes a person want to clutch their children and their purse closer to them. He leaned down and pressed a button on Mrs. Tellier’s phone. “Mrs. Quinn, call Whitney Kroll to the main office. He’ll be leaving early today. And prepare his school records. I was just informed that his mother will be transferring him to a public school.”

  Angelina hadn’t felt such cold fury since Whitney’s father had eagerly signed off his parental rights. She went nose to nose with the stork of a man. “Don’t involve my child in this.”

  There it was—that look that made the hair on the back of Angelina’s neck stand on end. “I’ll give you a choice. Go quietly and we’re done, or see if any good school will consider your son when I’m done explaining why we had to ask him to leave.”

  “You can’t do that.”

  “Watch me.” He leaned closer and Angelina hated that she took a step back.

  It all felt so unreal. Her eyes flew to Mrs. Tellier’s for confirmation that this was some nightmare her alarm was just about to wake her from. She looked on helplessly. Angelina didn’t want her to get involved, but she also hated to see her spirit crushed.

  Angelina spun on her heel and snarled. “You’re destroying everything Reemsly stands for. Why? What do you get out of being so cruel?”

  “Goodbye, Miss Kroll. Security will escort you and your son out.”